At PEATC, we are committed to “Building Better Futures for Virginia’s Children.”
We are committed to reaching all Virginia families, including traditionally underserved families who face additional obstacles in accessing special education and disability services.
We strive to provide parents with the tools, information, and resources needed to effectively navigate special education and become their child’s best advocate.
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New to Special Education? Start here!
Welcome! Navigating the world of special education can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’ve created this resource hub with 12 helpful tools designed to guide you step-by-step through the special education process. From understanding special education acronyms and terms, to learning how to request an evaluation, these resources will empower you to advocate for your child with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re just starting or looking for answers, this is the perfect place to begin your journey.
Let’s get started!
- What Does That Mean? – Guide to SPED and Disability Terms in Virginia
- Medical Diagnosis vs. Educational Label in Special Education
- IEPs vs. 504 Plans – Which is Right for My Child?
- Parental Consent in Virginia
- Key Timelines
- Requesting an Eligibility Evaluation
- Assessments – Types
- From Referral to Eligibility – Infographic
- Eligibility for Special Education Services
- How to Prepare for Your Child’s IEP Meeting
- FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)
- IEP Checklist (for accessible version click here)
Email and Letter Templates
It is very important, when expressing concerns about your child’s educational services or when requesting something from the school division, that you do so in writing. That way, you have a record of your request.
Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what to include in your communication with the school division. To make things easier, PEATC has developed a series of sample emails/letters in a variety of areas that you can use as the basis for your request(s). You can personalize these templates in any way you want.
If you have any questions, you can always reach out to PEATC for one-on-one assistance.
- Audio Recording A Meeting
- Bullying Incident for a Child with a 504 Plan
- Bullying Incident for a Child with an IEP
- Notifying School about Bullying
- Parental Concerns about the IEP
- Requesting Additional Evaluations for Child Already Receiving Special Education Services
- Requesting an FBA-BIP
- Requesting an IEP Meeting for Extended Year Services
- Requesting an IEP Meeting
- Requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation for Refusal to Evaluate in Certain Areas
- Requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation when Parent Disagrees with School Evaluation
- Requesting an Initial Evaluation for Special Education Eligibility
- Requesting a Transition IEP Meeting
- Requesting Prior Written Notice
- Scheduling Meetings – Mutually Agreeable Time and Location
Digital Portfolio
Fact Sheets & Resource Documents
Accommodations, Modifications, Supplementary Aids, and Resources
- Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
- Assistive Technology and Your Child’s IEP
- Modifications for Students with IEPs
- One to One Aides
- Service Animals in Schools: What Families Need to Know
- Technology Accessibility
- Transportation for Students with Disabilities – Getting to School
Assessments, Testing Accommodations, and Standards of Learning (SOLs)
- Assessments – Types
- Bell Curve
- Preparing Your Child for 3rd Grade SOL Tests
- Profile of a Virginia Graduate
- Standards of Learning (SOLs) – Overview
- Testing Accommodations for Students with IEPs
- Understanding Your Child’s Literacy Report (VALLSS)
- Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) Eligibility
At-Risk Students and the Children’s Services Act (CSA)
- Children’s Services Act – How it Can Help Your Family
- Children’s Services Act – What You Need to Know
Behavior and Discipline
- Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
- Disciplinary Removals – What to Know
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) Toolkit
- Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) – What to Expect
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) – An Overview
- Seclusion and Restraint – 15 Key Provisions
- Seclusion and Restraint – Understanding the Rules
Bullying
- Bullying and the IEP
- See more on Bullying here
Collaboration and Communication
- AI in Special Education – What Families Need to Know
- Asking the Right Questions – A Tool for Empowering Families
- Collaboration in a Co-Teaching Classroom
- Communicating Effectively with Email
- Using AI as a Tool – Preparing for Special Education Meetings
Compensatory Education and Extended School Year (ESY)
Dispute Resolution
- Attorneys and Advocates: How to Choose
- Complaint Toolkit
- Complaints – What to Know
- Dispute Resolution Guide
- Due Process Hearings – What to Know
- Due Process Toolkit
- Facilitated IEPs – Overview
- Mediation Toolkit
- Mediation – What to Know
- Office of Civil Rights – Complaints
- Special Education Mediation – Involving the Student
Educational Plans for Students Without an IEP
- 504 Plan – Is it Right for My Child?
- Individual Services Plans (ISPs) When Your Child is Not Attending Public School
Eligibility, Identification, and Evaluations
- Child Find
- Child Study/School-Based Teams – What to Expect
- Eligibility Categories
- Eligibility for Special Education Services
- Preparing for the Eligibility Meeting
- From Referral to Eligibility – Infographic
- From Referral to Eligibility – What to Expect
- Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
- Medical Diagnosis vs. Educational Label in Special Education
- Requesting an Eligibility Evaluation
- Triennial Reevaluations
Goals, Instruction, Services, and Supports
- Emergency Planning for Students with Disabilities
- Executive Functioning – Goals and Strategies
- IEP Short-Term Objectives and Benchmarks
- Intervention Strategies – Decision Tree
- Measurable Goals
- Physical Education (PE / APE) and Students with Disabilities
- Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)
- Related Services in the IEP
- SHaRE – Self Health and Relationship Education for Students with Disabilities
- School-Based vs. Medical Therapies
- Therapies List
IEP Basics and Process
- FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)
- How to Prepare for Your Child’s IEP Meeting
- IEP Checklist (for the screen reader accessible version, click here)
- IEP Roles – Who’s Around the Table
- IEPs vs. 504 Plans – Which is Right for My Child?
- Special Factors for Consideration in Your Child’s IEP
- Successful IEP Meetings – Tips
- Understanding the Parts of the IEP
- Virtual IEP Meetings
- What’s in My Child’s IEP?
Parent, Student, and Teacher Input
- IEP Input Form – Parent (Fillable)
- IEP Input Form – Student (Fillable)
- IEP Input Form – Teacher (Fillable)
- Parent & Student Input in Special Education Processes
- Student Profile
- Transition Survey – Planning for Life After High School (Parent)
Placement/Least Restrictive Environment
- Homebound vs. Home-Based Instruction
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
- Private School Placement for Students with Disabilities
School Changes or School Transitions
- Transitioning to High School for Students with Disabilities
- Transitioning to Middle School for Students with Disabilities
Social Skills
- How to Be a Friend
- Next Steps to Independence Checklist (Birth to 22)
- Social Skills and Children with Disabilities
Student Records
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Importance of Reviewing Your Child’s School Records
- Requesting Educational Records – Using the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Student Rights and Procedural Safeguards
- English Language Learners
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- Homeless Students – McKinney Vento Act
- Incarcerated Students – Rights to Special Education
- Key Timelines
- Parental Consent in Virginia
- Prior Written Notice
- Procedural Safeguards – Overview
- Surrogate Parents in Special Education
- Twice Exceptional Students
- Understanding The Role of the School Resource Officer (SRO)
Terminology
- Acronyms and Terms, Special Education
- Virtual Learning Vocabulary
- What Does That Mean? – Guide to SPED and Disability Terms in Virginia
- What’s In a Day – Understanding How Days Are Counted